U.S. patent application number 14/019660 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for cabriolet top with closure unit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Webasto-Edscha Cabrio GmbH. Invention is credited to Alexander Haimerl, Georg Kopp.
Application Number | 20140117703 14/019660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50153188 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140117703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kopp; Georg ; et
al. |
May 1, 2014 |
Cabriolet top with closure unit
Abstract
A cabriolet top having a top linkage which can be adjustable
between a closed position, in which it spans a vehicle interior
space, and an open position having at both sides of a vertical
vehicle longitudinal central plane, in each case one link
arrangement assigned a closure unit which can be adjusted by means
of an actuating device between a locking and unlocking position and
which, in its locking position in the closed position of the top
linkage, secures a front bow, which connects the two link
arrangements to one another, to a front cowl of the vehicle by
means of a locking hook. The locking hook can be connected via a
first joint to a first locking link pivotable about an axle fixed
to the front bow and via a second joint to a second locking link
pivotable about an axle fixed to the front bow.
Inventors: |
Kopp; Georg; (Plattling,
DE) ; Haimerl; Alexander; (Bogen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Webasto-Edscha Cabrio GmbH |
Stockdorf |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
50153188 |
Appl. No.: |
14/019660 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/185 20130101;
B60J 7/1851 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/121 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/185 20060101
B60J007/185 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 12, 2012 |
DE |
102012108531.5 |
Claims
1. A cabriolet top of a motor vehicle, comprising a top linkage
which is adjustable between a closed position, in which it spans a
vehicle interior space, and an open position, in which it upwardly
opens up the vehicle interior space, and which comprises, at both
sides of a vertical vehicle longitudinal central plane, in each
case one link arrangement which is assigned a closure unit which
can be adjusted by means of an actuating device between a locking
position and an unlocking position and which, in its locking
position in the closed position of the top linkage, secures a front
bow, which connects the two link arrangements to one another, to a
front cowl of the vehicle by means of a locking hook, wherein the
locking hook is connected via a first joint to a first locking link
which is pivotable about an axle fixed to the front bow and via a
second joint to a second locking link which is pivotable about an
axle fixed to the front bow, and wherein the locking hook forms,
together with the two locking links, a four-bar mechanism which can
be actuated by means of the actuating device.
2. The cabriolet top as claimed in claim 1, wherein, to the first
locking link, there is connected a coupling link which is
articulatedly connected to a diverting lever which is acted on by
the actuating device and which is pivotable about an axle fixed to
the front bow.
3. The cabriolet top as claimed in claim 2, wherein the coupling
link is articulatedly connected to the first locking link such that
the longitudinal axis of said coupling link, in the locking
position of the closure unit, assumes a beyond-dead-center position
with respect to a connecting line between an articulation point of
the coupling link on the first locking link and a pivot axle of the
diverting lever, it being the case in the beyond-dead-center
position that an adjustment of the closure unit proceeding from its
locking position without actuation of the actuating device is
blocked.
4. The cabriolet top as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coupling
link and/or the diverting lever bear and/or bears, in the
beyond-dead-center position, against a stop.
5. The cabriolet top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating
device is formed by an adjusting cylinder, in particular a
hydraulic closure cylinder, or by an electric motor.
6. The cabriolet top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating
device is formed by a link of the top linkage, which link is driven
by means of a main adjusting device of the top.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application designating the United States and claims
the benefit of foreign priority from German Patent Application
Number 10 2012 108 531.5, filed Sep. 12, 2012, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a cabriolet of a motor vehicle.
[0003] A cabriolet top of said type is known from practice and
constitutes a convertible roof of a motor vehicle designed as a
cabriolet. Cabriolet tops generally comprise a top linkage which is
adjustable between a closed position, in which it spans a vehicle
interior space, and an open position, in which it upwardly opens up
the vehicle interior space. In the open position, the top is stowed
in a rear-end top stowage compartment of the respective motor
vehicle. In the case of a top in the form of a so-called soft top,
the top linkage serves for tensioning a top material which forms
the outer skin of the roof. In the case of a top in the form of a
so-called hard top, the top linkage serves for pivoting rigid roof
segments which, in the closed position, are arranged one behind the
other as viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction so as to span
the vehicle interior space and which, in the open position, are
stowed in a stacked manner, or in a manner arranged one above the
other, in the rear-end top stowage compartment. The top linkage
comprises, at both sides of a vertical vehicle longitudinal central
plane, in each case one link arrangement which is mounted on a main
bearing fixed with respect to the vehicle and which comprises at
least one first, front link or frame element and a second link or
frame element which, in the closed position, is arranged toward the
rear with respect to the first link or frame element. The front
link elements arranged on both sides are connected to one another
by means of a front bow, which is commonly also referred to as the
roof tip and which forms a rigid roof element. In the closed
position of the top, the front bow adjoins a front cowl of the
vehicle which delimits a windshield at its upper edge. To secure
the front bow to the front cowl, the known top has a closure unit
which is adjustable between a locking position and an unlocking
position and which, in the closed position of the top linkage,
fixes the front bow to the cowl by means of a locking hook which
engages on a corresponding locking element which is fixed to the
vehicle. Since the locking hook is mounted by means of a single
rotary joint, the length of the pulling-closed travel between the
front bow and the front cowl is limited. Furthermore, in the case
of known closure units for cabriolet tops of the above-described
type, there is the disadvantage that a highly cumbersome closure
kinematic arrangement is provided, while at the same time a
structural space should be kept as small as possible. However, the
front bow is often provided, in a central region, with an
undesirably large structural height because an electromechanical
drive or a hydraulic drive for the closure unit is arranged in this
region. The known closure units are often also characterized by a
high weight and a multiplicity of individual parts.
SUMMARY
[0004] The invention is based on the object of providing a
cabriolet top of the generic type specified in the introduction,
which cabriolet top has a closure unit for securing the top linkage
to a cowl, which closure unit firstly can be integrated in an
optimized manner in terms of installation space into the top
construction and secondly is of a design which is simple to
implement in construction terms and which requires substantially no
maintenance.
[0005] Said object is achieved according to invention by means of
the cabriolet top having a cabriolet top of a motor vehicle,
comprising a top linkage which is adjustable between a closed
position, in which it spans a vehicle interior space, and an open
position, in which it upwardly opens up the vehicle interior space,
and which comprises, at both sides of a vertical vehicle
longitudinal central plane, in each case one link arrangement which
is assigned a closure unit which can be adjusted by means of an
actuating device between a locking position and an unlocking
position and which, in its locking position in the closed position
of the top linkage, secures a front bow, which connects the two
link arrangements to one another, to a front cowl of the vehicle by
means of a locking hook, wherein the locking hook is connected via
a first joint to a first locking link which is pivotable about an
axle fixed to the front bow and via a second joint to a second
locking link which is pivotable about an axle fixed to the front
bow, and wherein the locking hook forms, together with the two
locking links, a four-bar mechanism which can be actuated by means
of the actuating device.
[0006] According to the invention, the locking hook of the closure
units which are assigned to in each case one of the link
arrangements is a constituent part of a four-bar mechanism. The
movement path of the locking hook with respect to the front bow is
defined firstly by the geometric configuration of the locking link
and the connecting points thereof to the locking hook and secondly
by a joint point arranged fixedly with respect to the front bow.
Here, the axles of the joints are oriented substantially in the
transverse direction of the top, such that the closure units can be
integrated into the top linkage in particular in the region of the
link arrangements arranged on both sides. The closure units are
thus situated, with respect to the vehicle transverse direction,
laterally adjacent to a region, which determines the headroom, of
the top. As a result, the closure units no longer limit the
headroom, determined by the front bow, for occupants of the
respective motor vehicle.
[0007] In the present case, the expression "front bow" is to be
understood in its broadest sense and may consequently be a
front-end transverse bow of a folding top or else a front-end rigid
roof element of a cabriolet top formed from rigid roof
elements.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the cabriolet top according to
the invention, for an optimum actuation of the four-bar mechanism,
a gear mechanism is connected upstream of the latter. Said gear
mechanism may in particular comprise a coupling link which is
connected at one side to the first locking link of the four-bar
mechanism and which, at the other side, is articulatedly connected
to a diverting lever which is acted on by the actuating device and
which is pivotable or rotatable about an axle fixed to the front
bow. The actuating device consequently adjusts the diverting lever
which is formed for example in the manner of a rocker, wherein the
adjusting moment thus exerted on the diverting lever is transmitted
by means of the coupling link to the four-bar mechanism.
[0009] In one specific embodiment of the cabriolet top according to
invention, the coupling link is articulatedly connected to the
first locking link such that the longitudinal axis of said locking
link, or a joint point between the coupling link and the diverting
lever, in the locking position of the closure unit, assumes a
beyond-dead-center position with respect to a connecting line
between the first joint, that is to say the connecting point of the
first locking link on the locking hook, and a pivot axle of the
diverting lever, that is to say the articulation point of the
diverting lever on a component fixed to the front bow, such that,
in the beyond-dead-center position, an adjustment of the closure
unit without actuation of the actuating unit is blocked. By means
of said measure, it is ensured that an unlocking of the locking
hook can take place only by means of the actuating device. For
example, thrust forces introduced by the locking hook via the
coupling link would then not subject the diverting lever to a
torque acting in an opening direction.
[0010] To clearly define the locking position or else a maximum end
position of the coupling link and/or of the diverting lever in the
beyond-dead-center position, provision may be made of a stop for
the coupling link and/or of a stop for the diverting lever.
[0011] The actuating device for the closure unit is formed in
particular by a linearly operating adjusting device. For example,
the actuating device is a closure cylinder, which may operate
pneumatically or hydraulically, or else an electric motor.
[0012] In an alternative embodiment of the cabriolet top according
to the invention, no special separate actuating device is provided
for the closure unit. Moreover, the actuating device is formed by
the top linkage itself. For example, one of the links of the top
linkage, which link is driven by means of a main adjusting device
of the top which acts on the respective link arrangement, is
connected or can be coupled to the diverting lever such that an
actuation of the main adjusting device for the opening or closing
of the top can also effect an adjustment of the closure unit. Said
link then forms the actuating device.
[0013] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the
invention emerge from the description, from the drawing, and from
the patent claims.
[0014] An exemplary embodiment of a cabriolet top according to the
invention is illustrated in schematically simplified form in the
drawing and will be explained in more detail in the following
description, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a top linkage of a
cabriolet top according to the invention in a closed position;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a closure unit of the top
linkage according to FIG. 1 in a position in which it is secured to
a front cowl;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 2, but without a
closure unit housing;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 3, with the
closing unit unsecured;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows the closure unit in a first opening phase of
the top linkage; and
[0020] FIG. 6 shows the closure unit in a second opening phase of
the top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The drawing illustrates a convertible roof 10 of a motor
vehicle designed as a cabriolet. The convertible roof 10, which
consequently forms a cabriolet top, comprises a top linkage 12
which serves for tensioning a top lining formed from a flexible,
foldable material, which top lining is not illustrated in any more
detail here. The top linkage 12 is adjustable between a closed
position, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 and in which the top
linkage spans a vehicle interior space of the respective vehicle,
and an open position, in which the top linkage upwardly opens up
the vehicle interior space and in which said top linkage is stowed
in a rear-end top stowage compartment of the vehicle.
[0022] The top linkage 12 comprises, at both sides of a vertical
vehicle longitudinal central plane, in each case one link
arrangement 14A and 14B, these being pivotably mounted on a
respective main bearing 16A and 16B mounted fixedly with respect to
the vehicle. The link arrangements 14A and 14B are formed
mirror-symmetrically with respect to one another about the vertical
vehicle longitudinal central plane. For clarity, the following
description will be given substantially only on the basis of the
link arrangement 14A arranged on the left as viewed in the
direction of travel, and may be transferred directly to the link
arrangement 14B arranged on the right as viewed in the direction of
travel.
[0023] The link arrangement 14A, which is pivotably mounted on the
main bearing 16A via a main pillar 18 and a main link 20, comprises
a first link element 22 which is arranged at the front in the
closed position of the top, a central, second link element 24 which
is arranged toward the rear with respect to the link element 22 in
the closed position of the top, and a rear-end, third link element
which is formed by the main pillar 18. The first link element 22,
the second link element 24 and the main pillar 18 form three frame
elements of the top linkage 12, which delimit the top lining
laterally.
[0024] The front, first link elements 22, which are arranged at
both sides of the vertical vehicle longitudinal central plane, of
the two link arrangements 14A and 14B are connected to one another
by means of a front bow 26 which constitutes a rigid roof element
and which, in the closed position of the top, adjoins a front cowl
of the respective vehicle. The two link arrangements 14A and 14B
are connected to one another by means of further transverse bows 27
which serve for tensioning the top lining, but which will not be
described in detail here.
[0025] To be able to secure the top linkage 12 or the front bow 26
in the closed position, the roof 10 has, below the front bow 26 in
the region of the two link arrangements 14A and 14B, in each case
one closure unit 28 which secures the respective front link element
22 or the front bow 26 to a locking element 30 which is formed on
the front cowl and which comprises a locking bolt 32 for a locking
hook 34 and a centering opening 36 for the engagement of a
centering pin 38 formed on the front bow 26.
[0026] The closure unit 28, to which the locking hook 34 is
assigned, comprises a closure housing 40 which is arranged rigidly
with respect to the front link element 22 and with respect to the
front bow 26 and which receives a hydraulically operating adjusting
cylinder 42 which is connected, by way of one end, to the closure
housing 40 at a joint point 44. At its end remote from the joint
point 44, the adjusting cylinder 42 is articulatedly connected via
a joint point 46 to a diverting lever 48 which has a substantially
triangular form with rounded corners and which is pivotably mounted
on the closure housing 40 via a joint point 50 situated in a second
corner region. In its third corner region, the diverting lever 48
is articulatedly connected via a joint point 52 to a coupling link
54 via which a torque introduced into the diverting lever can be
transmitted to a four-bar mechanism 56. It is self-evidently also
conceivable for a closure housing to be dispensed with and for the
closure unit to be integrated as an assembly on the front bow
without a dedicated housing.
[0027] The four-bar mechanism 56 is formed from a first,
substantially L-shaped locking link 58, a second, substantially
straight locking link 60, and the locking hook 34.
[0028] The coupling link 54 is articulatedly connected, by way of
its end region remote from the diverting lever 48, via a joint
point 74 to the first locking link 58, specifically in the central
angled region of said first locking link which separates the
control leg 70 from the locking leg 72.
[0029] The first locking link 58 is mounted via a joint point 62 on
the closure housing 40 and is articulatedly connected via a joint
point 64 to the locking hook 34. The second locking link 60 is
mounted via a joint point 66 on the closure housing 40 and is
connected via a joint point 68 to the locking hook 34. The locking
hook 34 likewise has a substantially L-shaped form, as can be seen
from FIGS. 2 to 6, wherein the joint point 64 is formed in the
region of the transition between the two legs. The joint point 68
is arranged in the region of a leg 70, which constitutes a control
leg, of the locking hook 34. The second leg of the locking hook 34
forms a locking leg 72 which interacts with the locking bolt
32.
[0030] As can be seen from FIG. 3, in the locking position of the
closure unit 28, the axle of the coupling link 54, which extends in
the longitudinal direction of the coupling link 54, assumes a
beyond-dead-center position with respect to a connecting line
between the joint point 74 formed on the first locking link 58 and
the joint point 50 of the diverting lever 48, specifically in such
a way that the joint point 52 via which the coupling link 54 is
articulatedly connected to the diverting lever 48 is in the present
case offset in the direction of the second locking link 60 by
approximately 2 mm in relation to the joint point 50. An actuation
of the four-bar mechanism 56 by thrust forces introduced into the
diverting lever 48 via the coupling link 54 is thus blocked.
Moreover, the four-bar mechanism 56 can be actuated in the opening
direction only by an actuation of the adjusting cylinder 42 which,
in the arrangement illustrated in the drawing, rotate the diverting
lever 48 counterclockwise.
[0031] As can be seen from FIG. 4, in a first opening phase of the
closure unit 28 proceeding from the locking position, by
corresponding actuation of the adjusting cylinder 42 and resulting
rotation of the diverting lever 48, the beyond-dead-center position
is eliminated, that is to say the joint point 52 between the
coupling link 54 and the diverting lever 48 is moved, in the
direction pointing away from the locking link 60, across the
connecting line between the joint points 50 and 74. Subsequently,
as a result of a continued pulling action by the adjusting cylinder
42, a tensile force is exerted by the coupling link 54 on the
four-bar mechanism 56, such that the locking hook 34 and the
locking bolt 32 pass out of engagement, as can be seen from FIG. 5.
In a subsequent opening phase, the top linkage 12 can be pivoted
past the locking element 30 into the open position (cf. FIG.
6).
* * * * *